hunker
バヌアツ共和国が，サイクロンの被害を受けました。バヌアツ共和国はオーストラリアの北東に位置する群島です。このサイクロン"Pam"により，44名が亡くなり，多くの村が破壊されたと報道されております。
記事の中で気になった単語は"hunker"です。『Wisdom英和辞典第三版』（三省堂）によると「しゃがむ，うずくまる，膝を抱えて腰を下ろす」などという意味がありました。ODには" Squat or crouch down low"とあります。定義の中ででてきた"squat"は「しゃがむ，うずくまる」であり" Crouch or sit with one’s knees bent and one’s heels close to or touching one’s buttocks or the back of one’s thighs"という意味です。いきなりこのような被害にあったら，しゃがみこんでしまうと思います。（Ume）
Cyclone 'devastates' South Pacific islands of Vanuatu
Chloe Morrison, an emergency communications officer with World Vision who is in Port Vila, said on Saturday that streets were littered with roofing, uprooted trees and toppled power lines.
Phil Mercer reports on Cyclone Pam which has ravaged the pacific nation of Vanuatu. Video courtesy of YouTube/Isso Nihmei at 350.org
She said there were reports of entire villages in remote areas being destroyed.
"It's still really quite dangerous outside. Most people are still hunkering down,'' she said.
"The damage is quite extensive in Port Vila but there are so many more vulnerable islands. I can't even imagine what it's like in those vulnerable communities.''
